by Bill Keveney, USA TODAY

by Bill Keveney, USA TODAY

The actor will play Father Judge in the story of six strangers fighting for wealth and survival during the gold rush in a small town in Canada's remote Klondike, the cable network announced today. The miniseries is based on Charlotte Gray's novel, Gold Diggers: Striking It Rich in the Klondike.

Klondike, set in the late 1890s, follows two childhood best friends, Bill and Epstein, who venture into a land of undiscovered wealth where they must face harsh conditions, unpredictable weather and dangerous characters.

Prison Break's Paul Scheuring is the primary writer.

Production will begin in March in Alberta, Canada. The premiere date has not been announced.